Citation

Ranson R, Stratton G, Taylor SR. Early Hum. Dev. 2015; 91(5): 327-331.

Affiliation

Sport & Exercise Sciences, Glyndwr University, Wrexham LL11 2AW, UK. Electronic address: s.taylor@glyndwr.ac.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2015.03.005

PMID

25846842

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The relative lengths of the index finger to the ring finger (2D:4D) is sexually dimorphic and is thought to be a correlate of prenatal sex steroids (low 2D:4D=high prenatal testosterone and low prenatal oestrogen). In adults there have been reports that low 2D:4D is consistently associated with high sports performance. AIMS: To investigate correlations between 2D:4D and fitness levels in children. STUDY DESIGN: Right 2D:4D and body size were measured, in addition to flexibility, speed, endurance and strength (Eurofit tests). SUBJECTS: 922 boys and 835 girls (mean ages (years): 10.8±1.01 and 10.07±1.00 respectively). OUTCOME MEASURES: height, mass, BMI, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, 20m shuttle run, sit and reach, standing broad jump, hand grip strength, 10×5m sprint, and the sit and reach test.

RESULTS: Boys significantly outperformed the girls in the 10×5m sprints, the 20m shuttle run, standing broad jump, and hand grip strength. In boys but not girls, 2D:4D was significantly negatively correlated with scores in all these tests except the standing broad jump. In girls but not boys, 2D:4D was significantly positively correlated to stature, mass, BMI and waist circumference.

CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that high prenatal testosterone and low prenatal oestrogen (low 2D:4D) is implicated in high sprinting speed, endurance and hand grip strength in boys. In girls low prenatal testosterone and high prenatal oestrogen is associated with large body size.

Language: en